Traditional dress of Greece: Colors of Greek culture Traditional dress of Greece: Colors of Greek culture Arts , Culture , Handicrafts , People Smiling Greek girls in cultural outfits. Image by Dorret A country by taking the name of which, at once our thoughts begin to float on the ocean of culture, civilization and traditions; is known as Greece in the lovely planet. This fabulous European country is located on the southern part of Europe, which is mainly a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 3,000 islands. Most of us know that the Greek culture has been evolved over thousands of year and is adorned with the influences of the most ancient civilizations of the world. Greek dancers in traditional costumes. Image by anoldent There is enormous amount of material that can be produced on the Greek culture which has probably one of the longest histories on earth. But let us mainly focus upon the subject and i-e traditional dress of Greece which is the historic Greek garb having antiquity characteristics. The story of the traditional Greek outfits start with the homemade clothing known as chiton, peplos, himation and chlamys. These all ancient Greek clothing consisted of lengths of linen or wool fabric, which generally was rectangular.

Men’s robes went down to their knees, whereas women’s went down to their ankles. Most of these garments were simply draped over the bodies. A Greek boy dancing in traditional garb. Image by jball359 During the Byzantine era, the designs of the outfits were changed and more colors and patterns were introduced in Greece. New trends for embroideries were adopted and the usage of the imported silk and other fabrics became common. Conservativeness and modesty were though the key features of these Byzantine traditional costumes. Heads were normally covered by a variety of head-cloths and veils and different types of shoes were in use as well. The Greek dancers of that time wore short sleeves or sleeveless dresses, which may or may not have a lighter sleeve from an undergarment below. They had tight wide belts, and their skirts had a flared and differently colored element. Colors of Greek culture – Image by minolta102 From the mid of the 15th century, Greece was a part of the great Ottoman empire till its declaration of independence in 1821. During that era, fashion in clothing was greatly flourished and many regional costumes were developed.

Due to strict legal regulations, different religious communities were bound to wear distinct types of clothes. The well to do Greeks also got inspired from the European style clothing and a fusion of east and west was developed in that era in clothing. From Greece – Traditional outfits – Image by FOSM Today, if we see the traditional costume worn by Greeks in various national festivals and cultural events, that is the invention of King Otto and Queen Amalia, respectively, who arrived in Greece in the late 1830’s. These dresses became the identical emblem of the Greek people. Queen Amalia gave the design of Amalia dress as the court dress. Amalia dress was having a loose-fitting, white cotton or silk shirt, often decorated with lace at the neck and handcuffs, over which a richly embroidered jacket or vest is worn, usually of dark blue or claret velvet. Today, Amalia Costume seems to have lost much of its symbolic content. A model portraying Greek goddess of harvest. Greek Myth – Image by Rachel Adams In different parts of Greece, women wore a variety of traditional dresses but the main features are almost same. They wore a simple cotton dress as a base, with a sleeveless wool vest over it.

Different types of aprons, colorful sashes and large bright colored scarves were also integral accessories for the dresses of Greek women. Karagouna – Folk costumes of Greece – Image by Novica Another traditional outfit that was once worn as favorite attire was the karagouna. This dress was bedecked with tremendous embroidery and colorful elements and it included many layers, starting with a black-fringed white under dress. The Greek women also used some outer garment over this dress made with embroidered wool followed by a long white sleeveless coat and then another embroidered waistcoat. This was all topped by a red apron. Other magnificent accessories were a head kerchief and chains of gold coins across their foreheads and bosoms. Desfina costume from the Central parts of Greece. Image by Andrew Theodotou In the central parts of Greece, in some villages, the women traditionally wore a simple costume which is known as Desfina. It had two chemises one on top of the other, a short sleeveless white coat kept in position with a characteristic of the region dark blue striped belt, as well as the narrow long apron with yellow or gold cord embroidery.

Finally, a white butter muslin kerchief ornamented with small pompoms or ‘chenille’ fringe was also worn. The costume is finished with strands of gold coins worn across the chest and a matching set of coin earring. Foustanella -Greek soldiers wearing military uniforms based on a traditional Greek guerrilla outfit. Image by christophwarner Well, when it comes to Greek men, their traditional dress which is also considered as the national dress for men in Greece is Tsolias or Foustanella. This dress is specially associated with soldier’s costume and is mainly found in the mountainous areas of Greece. Foustanella skirt consists of 400 pleats symbolizing the years during which Greece was under the Ottoman rule. Foustanella is also spelled as Fustanella. Some scholars state that the fustanella was derived from a series of classical Greek garments such as the chiton (or tunic) and the chitonium (or short military tunic).

Although some scholars have claimed that the fustanella was introduced into Greece by Albanians in the 15th century, archaeological evidence shows that the fustanella was already in common use in Greece as early as the 12th century, predating the arrival of Albanian-speakers on Greek lands by several centuries. Vraka are Greek men’s Baggy trousers worn with fullness between the legs. Image: Gamma Man Vraka are Greek men’s Baggy trousers worn with fullness between the legs, they were traditionally worn in Crete, Cyprus, Ionian and Aegean Islands and coastal regions of Greece. There is variation in the Vraka costume for men in different regions in Greece. It generally consists of a white undergarment, white shirt, baggy trousers, sleeveless crossed waistcoat, sash, outer jacket and tasseled cap. A Greek belly dancer in phenomenal style. Image Frank Kovalchek There is a tremendous variety in the traditional dress of Greece which truly describes the colors of Greek culture. The Sarakatsani people of Greece were shepherds by occupation; they were particularly known for their lavish and heavily embroidered costumes. The women wore layered blouses and skirts.

There are different regional versions of the Sarakatsan female costume. The traditional Sarakatsani settlements, dress and costumes make these people a distinct social and cultural group, as part of the collective Greek heritage. A Greek female dancer dancing and clapping wearing traditional outfits. Image by Diablo Azul There are also numerous different patterns available for the folk costumes in Macedonia. Every type of the traditional outfit from this part of Greece is recognized for its own distinct features, but commonly the geometric designs and presence of red, black and white colors in these Greek garbs are existed. Two girls wearing traditional Macedonian clothes. Image by MLazarevski In Macedonia, the traditional costume of the Mariovo area is rated very high for its spectacular nature and stunning features. It is highly decorative and embellished costume especially abounding in metal and bead ornaments. The costume is a favorite bridal attire in Greece which generally includes golema smock, embroidered sleeves, heavily enriched borders around the skirt, horseshoes, knitted of multi-colored woolen thread and worn on the arms below the elbow cuffs, upper garment of broadcloth called “valanka”, a phenomenal apron and many other accessories that may be optionally added to the dress. Macedonian boys – Folk costumes.

Image by Novica Macedonian men wear vests, white linen shirts, pants resembling English riding breeches, and a pojas (a wide cloth belt). Traditional dress of Greece which truly represents the fantastic colors of Greek culture – Image by ccdoh1 Traditional dress of Greece which truly represents the fantastic colors of Greek culture is a graceful specialty adorned with captivating decorations and beguiling jewelry. This dress preserves the traces of ancient Greek cultural influences and nowadays, it is proudly showcased by Greek people and folk performers on national occasions, holidays and marriage ceremonies. Modern dresses – Greek women. Image by [email protected] For more interesting posts with the same subject on the Lovely Planet Website , please click the following links; """Greek""" or Albanian ? - Stormfront """Greek""" or Albanian ? Culture and Customs Music, art, literature. Listen live to Stormfront Radio with Don Black & Friends Followed by Dr. David Duke. Weekdays 9:00-11:00am ET | Archives Posts: 60 """Greek""" or Albanian ? Fustanella is a fold skirt, which is carried particularly in Albania and Greece(by Arvanites), traditionally by men, thus a man skirt.

It can appear a short stiff skirt , usually pleated, made of white cotton or linen, and in the country of its origin Albania(or Epirus) we also find the long version. The foustanela was worn by the Albanian fighters of the 1821 revolution. It's been some time now, that the newly created nations, try to claim any Albanian heritage as their own. The following pictures/photos is in response to those false claims and show that this dress is exclusively originated from Albanian folks. 1865 KING OF GREECE IN ..ALBANIAN COSTUME The upper class costume Posts: 60 Re: """Greek""" or Albanian ? Since most of the greatest fighters of the so called Greek revolution were from Epirus Arvanites(Albanians) the new Greek state adopted this costume as a garment for the Evzones, Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. William ST.

Clair ï¿½That Greece Might Still Be Freeï¿½ Oxford University Press ï¿½ 1972 Page 228: Quote: It was probably at this time that the Albanian dress made its decisive step towards being regarded as the national dress of Greece. The Government party, being largely Albanians themselves, favoured the dress and a version of it was common among the Greek ï¿½klephtsï¿½ and ï¿½armatoliï¿½. Now it seemed that anyone who donned an Albanian dress could claim to be a soldier and share in the bonanza Fustanella is very common garment among the Labs, a warlike Albanian race: Arvanites( Albanians) in Athen welcoming King Otto Bayron in Albanian costume Tirana Albania, men in the national costume Location: Konstantinoupoli, Argyrokastro, Kyrinia, Trapezounda and everywhere HELLINISM lives. Posts: 4,015 Re: """Greek""" or Albanian ?

The 'foustanella' is nothing but the descendant of the ancient 'Chlamys' and 'Tonga' and the later ancient and Byzantine "tunica" that wasn't much of a change to the ancient forms.. Proof of the existance since ancient times is the find in Durres (ancient Hellinic colony of Epidamnos founded 650BC) of this artifact dated 500BC: Here's a 5th cent. Byzantine icon again depicting a 'tunica' under the armor : Of course its origins are far older as written by Paul Rehak in his "Aegean Breechcloths, Kilts, and the Keftiu Paintings" clearly states : Quote: In discussions of Aegean costume, considerable attention has been paid to the change in the representation of presumed Aegean natives (the Keftiu) in several Egyptian tomb paintings of the 18th Dynasty. The earlier tombs depict men wearing breechcloths with codpieces and backflaps; the later tombs show men in kilts.

The date of this change has usually been thought to coincide with a shift & power in the Aegean at-the end of LM IB, from Minoans (with codpieces) to Mycenaeans (in kilts). But both breechcloths and kilts are worn on Crete at least from MM II times, and neither costume is generally worn by early Mycenaeans. Breechcloths with codpieces characterize certain types of Minoan activity (hunting, farming, bull-leaping, and ritual performances), whereas shorts appear in early Mycenaean scenes of hunting and fighting, replaced in LH IIIA-B frescoes by tunics; most Mycenaean representations of kilts are quite late (LH IIIB). (note that "Middle Minoan II = 1900-1720 B.C "Late Helladic IIIB" = 1300-1200 BC) Fustanella | Define Fustanella at Dictionary.com fustanella [fuhs-tuh-nel-uh, foo-stuh-] /ˌfʌs təˈnɛl ə, ˌfu stə-/ Spell noun 1.

a short stiff skirt, usually pleated, made of white cotton or linen, worn by men in some parts of the Balkans. Origin of fustanella 1840-50; < Italian < Modern Greek phoustanélla, diminutive of phoustáni woman's dress < Italian fustagno fustian Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for fustanella Expand Historical Examples He cannot work because he wears the fustanella, and it is said that he wears the fustanella in order to be unable to work. British Dictionary definitions for fustanella Expand a white knee-length pleated skirt worn by men in Greece and Albania Word Origin C19: from Italian, from Modern Greek phoustani, probably from Italian fustagnofustian Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 MUGs Around the World MUGs Around the World Examples of the many unbifurcated garments worn by men around the world. Bubu - A robe worn by men in Africa, especially in positions of authority. Caftan - A long, wide-sleeved robe worn by men in the Middle East. Cassock - A long, robe-like garment worn by members of the clergy. Dashiki - A colorful African robe. Dhoti - A long rectangular piece of cloth traditionally worn by men in India. It can be wrapped in various ways, either around the waist like a sarong or between the legs as well. Dishdasha - See thobe, below. Djellabah - A long, loose-fitting hooded robe or gown worn by men in North Africa, and especially in Morocco. Fustanella - A short pleated skirt of white cloth worn by men in Greece and Albania.

Galabiyah - A long, full, shirt-like garment worn by men in Egypt. Gho - Imagine living in a far-off kingdom in which, by royal decree, all men are forbidden to wear trousers in public. Instead, all males are compelled to wear a knee-length dress, with a sash at the waist, and long stockings. If you are caught wearing anything else, you face a stiff fine, equal to about three-days' pay. Believe it or not, such a kingdom actually exists in the world today. It is the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. In order to preserve its unique national culture (and to assimilate ethnic minorities), the royal government in 1985 decreed that all Bhutanese must always wear the traditional national costume of northern Bhutan. For men and boys, this is the gho - a knee-length robe with a sash at the waist. The long stockings underneath are often of a plaid design. The women have their own distinctive costume, a full-length dress called the kira. Although foreign visitors can don native dress if they desire, they are not required to do so.

This ban on trousers has caused some resentment in southern Bhutan, which is inhabited by ethnic Nepalese who view the national dress code as a form of tyranny, and even a human rights violation. So, while we men in the West confront the "tyranny of trousers," men in Bhutan are complaining of a "tyranny of dresses." I suppose this would be analogous to the Scottish parliament passing a law requiring all men in Scotland to wear Highland dress, resulting in great resentment among the Lowlanders. Before anyone starts thinking of Bhutan as a Shangra-La for men in skirts, be warned that tourism is tightly restricted and very expensive. Hakama - A Japanese outer garment, worn by men and women, which comes in both bifurcated and unbifurcated versions, both having a pleated, skirt-like appearance. The hakama pants, with a split between the legs, are most common and often seen in martial arts. However, the hakama used for traditional Japanese dances and formal ceremonies is usually unbifurcated and worn over a full-length kimono. Kain - See section on sarongs, below.

Kikoi or kikoy (pronounced kee-koy) - A cotton wrap skirt, with colored bands or stripes, worn by men and women in Kenya and other parts of East Africa. ___________________________ Kilts and Their Cousins Kilt - Kilts are skirt-like garments, traditionally worn by men in the Scottish Highlands, which usually have the following basic features: ■ They wrap around the waist and thighs, with overlapping panels in the front. The outer front panel of a man's kilt (called the apron) opens on the wearer's right side. They are usually fastened with buckles. ■ They are relatively short - usually coming to the kneecap or just above it. ■ They are pleated. A man's kilt usually has deep, overlapping knife-type pleats in the back. The front panels usually are not pleated. The traditional Scottish kilt is made of 8 or 9 yards of smooth, tightly woven wool with a tartan (plaid) design. Kilts may also be of solid colors - as frequently seen in Irish kilts. Recent variations of kilts sometimes use less or lighter material and alternative fabrics.

Traditional men's kilts are are usually worn with a pouch, called a sporran, hanging in front. Some modern varieties of kilts have pockets. Great kilt (feileadh mor) or belted plaid (breacï¿½n filleadh) - This is the original Scottish kilt, made from two pieces of tartan wool joined together, wrapped around the body, and fastened with a belt. This is the type of kilt seen in Braveheart and Rob Roy. Little kilt or phillibeg (feileadh beag) - This is the type of kilt usually seen today. It lacks the upper portion of the great kilt, and the pleats are sewn in place. Its invention is often credited to an English factory owner in 1725, but there is evidence that some Scotsmen were already wearing it prior to that time. Breacan - This Gaelic word, meaning "checkered cloth," has been adopted by Kinloch Anderson as the name for its light-weight, casual kilt. Utilikilt - Trade name for an American line of utilitarian kilts for men, featuring belt loops and cargo pockets.

The original design is a pleated skirt with a front fly, which goes on like trousers. The "neo-traditional" model wraps around like a kilt and fastens with snaps. _____________________ Kikepa - See section on sarongs, below. Kimono - A loose, wide-sleeved robe, fastened at the waist with a wide sash, worn by men and women in Japan. A light-weight cotton variety is called a yukata. Laplap - See section on sarongs, below. Lava -lava - See section on sarongs, below. Longyi - See section on sarongs, below. Lungi - A short rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the thighs, worn by men in southern India. Mï¿½nnerrock - "Man-skirt" in Germany. This is a recent fashion development, typified by the Men-in-Time skirts, illustrated on the right. Native American kilts and skirts - Various kilt- and skirt-like gar ments have been traditionally worn by males in native tribes throughout North and South America. The picture on the left shows a man from the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico wearing a sapeta.

Pareo or pareu - See section on sarongs, below. Paso - See longyi in the section on sarongs, below. Robe - A long, loose, flowing outer garment. Some varieties are worn for religious or ceremonial purposes. Robes are often worn by Buddhist monks (as shown in the picture on the right). ______________________________ Sarongs by Many Names Skirt-like garments are traditionally worn by both men and women in the Pacific Islands. Usually the skirts consist of colorful cloth wrapped around the body in various ways. The most familiar name for this type of garment is "sarong," but different names are used for similar garments throughout the Pacific. Kain - A skirt worn by men and women in Malaysia, which is similar to the sarong, except that its ends are sewn together. Kikepa - Colorful wrap skirts for men and women in Hawaii. Laplap - A length of cloth wrapped around the lower or entire body by both males and females in Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands. It was introduced by Europeans who were offended by native dress. Lava -lava - A draped, kilt-like garment of cotton print worn by Polynesians, especially Samoans.

Longyi - An ankle length, wrapped skirt (cotton or silk) worn by nearly all Burmese men and women. The men tie their longyi in the front whereas the women tie theirs on the side. A more formal, male version of the longyi is the paso. Wearing of the longyi is encouraged by a national dress policy instituted by the government of Burma (Myanmar), but it is also a matter of comfort, due to the extreme heat and humidity. Pareo or pareu - Tahitian word for a rectangular piece of cloth worn in Polynesia as a wraparound skirt or loincloth. Sarong - A length of brightly colored cloth wrapped about the waist and hanging as a skirt, worn by both men and women in Indonesia, the Malay Archipelago, and the Pacific islands . (From the Malay word for sheath or covering.) Sulu - A skirt worn by men in Fiji. (The accompanying photograph shows men in the Fiji legislature all wearing sulus.) Tupenu - A wrap-around, skirt-like cloth worn by males in the island nation of Tonga, both for formal occasions and as normal work attire. These are usually of a dark, solid color and extend below the knee.

Women wear a similar garment that is ankle-length. A sash, called a taï¿½ovala, is also worn around the waist by both men and women for formal occasions. __________________________ Sapeta - A skirt-like garment worn by men and boys of the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico. (See photo at Native American kilts and skirts above.) Thobe - A loose, long-sleeved, ankle-length dress for men, worn in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other countries in that region. It is similar to the djellabah, but without a hood. Summer thobes are white and made of cotton, and winter thobes can be darker and made of wool. In some countries, this garment is called a dishdasha. Tunic - A gown-like outer garment, usually around knee-length, either short-sleeved or sleeveless, and sometimes belted at the waist. Tupenu - See section on sarongs, above. Yukata - See kimono, above.

Photographs: Caftan; clerical cassock; dashiki; djellabah; Greek fustanellas; gho; Bhutanese archers wearing the gho; Japanese hakama; great kilt worn by Liam Neeson in Rob Roy; Boy Scouts in kilts; Japanese kimonos; German man-skirt by Men In Time; man from the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico wearing a sepeta; Japanese Buddhist monks in robes; sarong; Fiji men wearing sulus; Tongan men wearing the tupenu; Arabian man wearing a thobe or dishdasha.. _____________________________ Fustanella - Phantis Fustanella Jump to: navigation , search Greek Fustanelles - (Right) - the Makedonomahi, which is from Macedonia , the northernmost region of Greece. (Left) - The Fustanella (Tsolias) Prevailed in the urban centers of Moreas ( Peloponnese ) and Roumeli (Central Greece ). Fustanella (for spelling in various languages, see chart below ) is a traditional skirt-like garment worn by men in the Balkans.

In modern times, the fustanella is part of traditional Albanian and Greeks dresses, worn mainly by ceremonial Greek military units and Albanian folk dancers. Contents 5 External links History Findings of depictions of fustanellas in Slovenia , from eras in which Slovenia was part of Illyria, and inhabitants in several regions of the country wearing fustanellas in the past have lead many researchers and historians to the conclusion of an Illyrian origin of fustanella, with Albanians having inherited fustanella from Illyrians. [1] [2] The fustanella is thought by some researchers to have evolved from the Roman toga . Many statues of Roman emperors depict them wearing knee-length pleated kilts [3] . In colder regions, more folds were added. Fustanella is thought to have been originally a southern Albanian outfit of Tosks, which was introduced in Greece, during the Ottoman Occupation. [4] The use of the garment was spread by Albanian bands via Epirus into Greece during the 18th and 19th centuries [5] [6] [7] .

Similar garments exist as part of the folk costume as far north as Romania and as far east as Syria, with nationalists on every side claiming the garment to be an indigenous creation. Similarities to historical garments in literature and on art objects make these claims difficult to prove or disprove. One claim of an ancient link to the modern fustanella involves an ancient statue found in the outskirts of the ancient Greek colony of Epidamnus in Illyria(modern Durrës, Albania). The region surrounding Epidamnus was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of the Taulanti . . [8] Yet another claim involves the statue carved in a niche in the Cave of Archedemos the Nympholept , near Mount Hymettus in Athens , which statue wears a fustanella-like garment and has been dated to c. 500 BCE. Archedemos, although living in Athens, came from the Spartan colony of Thera . This is why he carved himself wearing the Dorian tunic . The origin of the Dorians is most likely to be found in the ancient Illyrian-Epirote regions. [9] The Dorian tunic was also a garment of Kouretes .

Another object which is related to the fustanella was found in Albania in the modern Korçë region, which was inhabited by Illyrian tribes [10] [11] . Evolution The garment is made from long strips of linen sewn together to make a pleated skirt . Some Greeks, such as general Theodoros Kolokotronis had almost four hundred pleats in their garments, one for each year of Turkish rule over Greece. The style evolved over time. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the skirts hung below the knees, and the hem of the garment was gathered together with garters and tucked into the boots to create a "bloused" effect. Later, during the Bavarian regency , the skirts were shortened to create a sort of billowy pantaloon that stopped above the knee; this garment was worn with hose, and either buskins or decorative clogs. This is the costume worn by the modern Greek Evzones , the Presidential Guard. While the image of warriors with frilly skirts tucked into their boots may seem impractical to a contemporary audience, it should be noted that modern paratroopers use a similar method to blouse their trousers over their jumpboots.

Lace was commonly worn on military uniforms in the west until well into the 19th century, and gold braid and other adornments still serve as markers of high rank in formal military uniforms. Fustanella were very labor-intensive and thus costly, which made them a status garment that advertised the wealth and importance of the wearer. Western observers of the Greek War of Independence noted the great pride which the klephts and armatoloi took in their foustanella, and how they competed to outdo each other in the sumptuousness of their costume. Etymology The word derives from Italian fustagno 'fustian' + -ella (diminutive), the fabric from which the earliest kilts were made. This in turn derives from Medieval Latin fūstāneum, perhaps a diminutive form of fustis, "wooden baton". Other authors consider this a calque of Greek xylino lit. 'wooden' i.e. 'cotton' [12] ; others speculate that it is derived from Fostat , a suburb of Cairo where cloth was manufactured.

[13] The Greek plural is foustanelles (φουστανέλλες) but as with the (semi-correct) foustanellas, it is rarely employed by native English speakers. Name in various languages Native terms for "skirt" and "dress" included for comparison: Language Traditional dress of Albania Traditional dress of Albania Culture , People 8 Comments The Albanian clothing heritage consists of numerous traditional dresses because this country was dominated by various invaders since the Middle Ages. Presently the Republic of Albania is divided into 12 administrative counties and the each county has its own traditional costume. But overall the traditional dress of Albania is full of colors and richness in designs. Albanian dancers in traditional costumes-Shkumbin’s Image The traditional male dress of Albania includes the Fustanella which is a classical skirt-like garment worn by men. For the lower part of body the Albanian men wear a long trouser which is known as Triq and in some parts of Albania, another traditional pant Çorape is also worn by men.

An Albanian village man in his traditional dress-Vindenis Image Xhaqete is a traditional vest which is used by the Albanian men in the whole parts of Albania and they also use a belt called as Brez. The Albanian men also used different kinds of headgears in various parts of Albania; the most popular of them are Qeleshe and Fez Their traditional footwear is known as Opinga. The Albanian women traditionally wore very colorful, bright, elegantly designed and decorative clothes. They are the best known in the whole Balkan region for the richness in their styles and colors. Xhubleta and Mbështjellëse are the favorite traditional attires of the Albanian women. Beautiful Albanian girls wearing the traditional dresses- (Asdren Rrahmani’s Image) As it has early been mentioned that there is a tremendous variety of the traditional dresses in Albania, so there are also many kinds of headdresses in use by the Albanian women. They are having distinct designs as some of them are round shaped and the others are right shaped while in some parts Kryqe is also worn which a square is shaped hat.

The Albanian children wearing traditional clothes- ( Disha Thakur’s Image ) The Albanian Muslim women wear two types of wedding dresses in their marriage ceremonies. One is worked on a “shajak” (large piece of wool) and with floral motives worked with “gajtan” (kind of rope) black cotton, sometimes mixed with green. The other one is worked in the same material but with red color. Different forms of motifs are used in these bridal costumes as in the first dress the motifs occupy all the area while the second one occupies a little part in the front and back. An Albanian couple in their wedding dress ( Image: Saimir Gera ) The Catholic Shkodran bride wears the wedding dress which is tripped from the transparent white, shiny, soft, which spreads all over the body, and is intended to suggest tranquility and a warm purity. Albanian folk dancers in their traditional costumes-Julian Poutzka’s Image The traditional dress of Albania is a magnificent dress which is so attractive for the colorful and golden cloaks, unique jackets and waistcoats and fantastic headdresses.

Although in the urban areas of Albania the conservative Western-style dress is common, still every Albanian dislikes wearing shorts or other revealing clothing. The traditional clothing with full swing can be observed in the theatrical or folk dance performances in the main cities. Some Albanian women dancers in a cultural festival ( Bastlomiej Haluszczak’s Image ) Post navigation Albanians - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage Albanians RELIGION: Evangelical Christianity (Seventh-Day Adventist, Jehovah's Witness); Roman Catholicism; Islam; Eastern Orthodox 1 • INTRODUCTION The name "Albania" is derived from an ancient Illyrian tribe, the Albanoi, who inhabited part of modern-day Albania from around 1225 BC AD 200. Albanians call their country Shqipëri (Skip-AIR-ee), "Land of the Eagle." For almost 500 years, Albania was controlled by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. The Albanians fought to resist being controlled by the Turks.

Their national hero, Skanderbeg, led the Albanian people's resistance to the Ottoman Empire in the 1400s in at least twenty-five fierce battles. It was only after Skanderbeg died in 1468 that the Turks were able to claim victory. They then ruled for 445 years. The Turks were Muslims, and a majority of Albanians became Muslims during this period. Albania won independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. Its present-day boundaries were confirmed following World War I (1914–18) at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. There are two major ethnic groups in Albania—the Ghegs and the Tosks. The main difference between the two groups is the dialect (variation on a language) of Albanian that they speak. The Ghegs live in the northern half of the country, and the Tosks live in the south. As of the late 1990s, there were as many Albanians living just outside of Albania's borders as there were within it. Observers often describe Albania as a country completely surrounded by itself.

2 • LOCATION Albania is one of the Balkan countries that form a peninsula bordered by the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas. The word "Balkan" means mountain in Turkish, and the Balkan countries take their name from the Balkan Mountains. Albania is about the same size as the state of Maryland. Albania's dimensions are 230 miles (370 kilometers) long by about 90 miles (144 kilometers) at its widest point. Albania's western edge borders the Adriatic Sea, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the "boot" of Italy. The coastline features some areas of scenic white sandy beaches. Along the coast the summers are hot and dry, while the winters are rainy. Away from the coast, most of Albania is covered with mountains. The North Albanian Alps reach 8,500 feet (2,590 meters) above sea level. There is more rainfall in the mountains than along the seacoast. Albania's population numbers approximately 3.5 million, and is projected to reach 3.6 million by 2000.

In 1950, almost 80 percent of the population lived on farms. By the mid-1990s, many farmers had moved to the cities, leaving only about 60 percent of the population living in rural areas. 3 • LANGUAGE Albanian (Shqip) is one of Europe's oldest languages. It is one of the nine Indo-European languages. Albanian has seven vowel sounds: a (ah), e (eh), i (ee), o (oh), u (oo), ë (uh), and y (ew). When ë appears at the end of a word, it is sometimes silent. Albanian uses the same alphabet as English, and adds the letter ç, representing the ch sound. ENGLISH dhgetë duh-YEHT The two main Albanian groups—the Ghegs in the north and the Tosks in the south—both speak Albanian but use different pronunciations. For example, when speaking the word është (is), a Tosk would say EH-shtah, but a Gheg would say AH-sht. Until World War II (1939–45), Gheg was the dominant dialect.

After 1945, most political leaders were Tosks, and the government tried to make the Tosk dialect the standard. Many writers and political activitists spoke the Gheg dialect, and they kept it alive in the north of the country. Many Albanians speak Italian because Italian television programs are broadcast in Albania. Southern Albania is near Greece, so many Albanians there speak and understand Greek. Young people, especially in the capital of Tiranë, understand some English. 4 • FOLKLORE Fairies, snakes, and dragons are among the main figures in Albanian mythology. Characters in Albanian folklore include the kucedër (a snake or dragon with many heads), the shtrigë or shpriga (witch), and the stuhi (a flame-throwing winged being that guards treasures). Zana are mythical female figures who help mountain folk in distress. To call someone a kukudh is the ultimate insult, since it means "a dwarf with seven tails who can't find rest in his grave." 5 • RELIGION Albania has no official state religion.

The communist government (in power from 1946 to 1992) outlawed religion in 1967, and confiscated (took away) all church property. Freedom of religion in Albania was not restored until 1989–90. More than 70 percent of Albanians are Muslims. Muslims are followers of the religion known as Islam. Islam has five "pillars," or practices, that must be observed by all Muslims: (1) praying five times a day; (2) giving alms (money or food), or zakat, to the poor; (3) fasting from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan; (4) making the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca; and (5) reciting the shahada ("ashhadu an la illah ila Allah wa ashhadu in Muhammadu rasul Allah" ). This phrase means "I witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah." About 20 percent of Albanians follow Christianity as members of Evangelical, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches. 6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS Albanian Muslims observe Ramadan and the holy days of Islam.

Ramadan, a month of fasting from dawn to dusk, occurs in early January. Albanian Christians celebrate traditional holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Another holiday, Dita e Verës (Spring Day), comes from an ancient pagan holiday and is still celebrated in mid-March. Albanians throughout the world commemorate November 28 as Albanian Independence Day ( Dita e Flamurit ). 7 • RITES OF PASSAGE Most Albanians mark the major life events, including birth, marriage, and death, within either the Muslim or Christian religious tradition. Albania has no funeral parlors. Wakes for the deceased are generally held at home for a period of two or three days before burial. 8 • RELATIONSHIPS The Albanians are very expressive people. They commonly emphasize their statements by gesturing with their hands, shrugging their shoulders, and rolling their eyes upwards. When they want to respond "no" to a question, Albanians might nod their heads or shake their index fingers. To answer "yes," they might shake their head. When two Albanian men meet, they embrace (hug) and kiss each other on the cheeks. It is common for them to walk along together with their arms linked.

Men and women limit their greetings to a handshake; kissing in public is considered scandalous. There is a greeting ritual when entering the home of an Albanian family. A female member of the host family serves the guest a qerasje (kehr-AHS-jeh) or treat. This consists of liko (LEEK-oh), a jam-like sweet, and a drink, such as Turkish coffee. It is considered rude to refuse these refreshments. However, it is acceptable to refuse the offer of a cigarette. The visitor then inquires about the health of each member of the host's family. Then the hostess inquires about the visitor's family. Only after this exchange is completed do people relax and begin normal conversation. Common Greetings A flisni anglisht? ah FLEAS-nee ahn-GLEESHT? When an Albanian gives the besa (BEH-sah)—pledged word or promise—it is considered sacred. Here are some greetings in Albanian: 9 • LIVING CONDITIONS Under communist rule from 1946 to 1992, many Albanians were forced to live in large, poorly constructed apartment buildings that provided only a couple of rooms for a family of four or more people.

Many dwellings still lack central heating. There is a shortage of water, and there are frequent electric power outages in the larger cities. There is no regular rubbish collection, and cities are littered with trash. There are no regulations against smoking in Albania. People feel free to smoke anywhere, including in public buildings, restaurants, and when visiting someone's home. 10 • FAMILY LIFE Albanian families tend to be small, with the average being two children. The Albanian husband does not generally do housework. Both husband and wife believe that the household is the wife's responsibility. Elderly parents often live with their children, where they are treated with honor and respect. From the time he is born, the oldest son is trained to become the head of family when his father dies. 11 • CLOTHING The fustanella, or Albanian kilt, was common dress for men until the 1400s. Common villagers and rural people wore a fustanella made from coarse linen or wool; more affluent men wore silk. When Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire (1468–1912), many aspects of Turkish culture were adopted by Albanians.

In rural areas, men may still wear the fez, a traditional Turkish cap, and a colorful cloth belt. Women may wear embroidered blouses in the Turkish style, with loose pants. Traditional costume for women of southern Albania features a blouse with wide cuffs in fabric to match an embroidered vest. A pleated petticoat is worn under a full skirt, and an elaborately embroidered apron and sash complete the outfit. Gold chains cascade from the neckline, are gathered into the sash, and are tucked into a pocket at the right side of the skirt. A kerchief covers the woman's hair. In the north, the sleeves of the blouse are wide, with lace embroidery along the edges. Embroidery on the apron is elaborate, but distinct from the style of southern Albanian women. Gold coins are worn on a headband and on several strands of necklace that adorn the bodice (upper part) of the dress. In cities, conservative Western-style dress is more common. Albanians are modest, however. Neither men nor women wear shorts or other revealing clothing. Traditional clothing is seen mostly at theatrical or folk dance performances in cities. 12 • FOOD Albanian cooking is influenced by the years of Turkish rule.

Lamb, rather than beef or pork, is the most common meat. Lakror (LAHK-roar), a typical dish, is a mixture of eggs, vegetables or meat, and butter wrapped in thin, many-layered pastry sheets. Another popular food is fërgesë (FUHR-ges), a dish usually made with minced meat, eggs, and ricotta cheese. Bread is a major staple of the Albanian diet. In fact, the word for bread, bukë (bew-KUH), is the normal word for "meal." Many Albanians enjoy raki (rah-KEE), a clear, colorless brandy made from grapes. 13 • EDUCATION About 88 percent of Albanians can read and write. This is one of the highest literacy rates in the Balkan region. School is mandatory from age seven through fifteen. The rulers of the Ottoman Empire forbade the teaching of the Albanian language until 1887; the first school (Mësonjtorja) that taught it was opened that year. Before then, all teaching was done in Turkish or Persian.

14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE Albanians love music, and there are many symphony orchestras performing in cities in Albania. Albanian folk instruments include the civility (a long-necked two-stringed mandolin); the gërnetë (guhr-NET-uh), a type of clarinet; the gajda (gahj-dah) and bishnica (bish-NICK-ah), wind instruments; and the sharkia (shar-KEY-ah) and lahuta (la-HOO-tah), stringed instruments. Ismail Kadarë is Albania's most famous writer. Kadarë's novel The General of the Dead Army was made into an Italian film in 1982. 15 • EMPLOYMENT Since the end of the communist era (1946–92), a new spirit of enterprise has developed. Albanians have been quick to form their own businesses. Since 1992, Albanians have had a five-day work week, in contrast to the six-day work week under communism. Women make up over 40 percent of the labor force.

16 • SPORTS Albania's favorite sport is soccer (commonly called "football" in Europe). Second to football is volleyball, in which both men's and women's teams have become regional champions. Basketball and tennis are becoming more and more popular. Chess continues to gain favor, especially with children. 17 • RECREATION After a late afternoon nap, Albanians enjoy a leisurely stroll along their wide streets on their way to meet friends and relatives for a late dinner. Albanians love storytelling. In coffee shops throughout the country, men can be found entertaining each other with humorous stories or heroic tales. Television programs broadcast from Italy are also very popular. Classical music performances are well attended in Albania, and discos (dance clubs) are popular with teenagers and young adults. 18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES Albanian women and girls are known for qëndisje (kuhn-DIS-jeh), elaborate embroidery created to decorate their dwellings. Using a small loom known as a vegël (VEH-guhl), they weave colorful rugs. Albanians produce sweaters, socks, gloves, and other items, using wool, cotton, acrylics, and fur.

Lace-making, ounë me grep (WEE-nuh MEH-grehp), is another traditional folk art. Men usually work with metals such as copper, brass, and aluminum to craft decorative plates, wall hangings, and utensils. Women are increasingly involved with pottery, creating unique useful and sculptural pieces. 19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS The democratically elected government of President Sali Berisha has been accused of using some of the same dictatorial methods as the former communist government. It has been accused of silencing political dissent, restricting freedom of the press, and rigging the national elections. Journalists who strongly criticize the government can be heavily fined or imprisoned. Human rights groups charge that some have even been tortured. Albanian television and radio programming reflects the official positions of the government. 20 • BIBLIOGRAPHY Albania—In Pictures. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1995. Hall, Derek R. Albania and the Albanians. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994. Hutchins, Raymond. Historical Dictionary of Albania. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1996.

Sherer, Stan. Long Life to Your Children!: A Portrait of High Albania. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 1997. Wright, David K. Albania. Chicago: Children's Press, 1997. Zickel, Raymond E., and Walter R. Iwaski. Albania: A Country Study. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Printing Office, 1994. WEBSITES sefer Aug 25, 2014 @ 5:05 am Most of the information is correct and it can be very helpful for getting a general idea of albanians. I assume that the text is written before the 2000 cuz some of the problems, like the electricity, is resolved and a of progress has been made by the government. Anyway,whoever decides to visit Albania and albanian cities around Albania (such as Gostivar, Tetovo, Shkupi, Kercova, Struga, Dibra, Kumanova in MAcedonia or Kosovo) wont be disappointed by the hospitality of the albanians and the wonderful places that they will see...

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Question: What is the name of the traditional stiff skirt worn by Greek and Albanian men?
Answer: Fustanella